Fashion Addict With Pennies To My Name...

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Well well well. It's saturday and I make the journey back to uber chic Cleveland, Tennessee tomorrow morning. Have I packed yet? No. Have I started to think about packing. No. To be honest, I'm not even sure that I have enough bags to bring all of the things that i have accumulated over the summer. The good news, I am seasoned in stuffing suitcases to beyond their maximum capacity. Sure, I may have to sit on one or two, but at least I'll get it all packed.

I am headed back to Cleveland to, of course, start my senior year at school. So. Weird. I'm nervous and excited and scared and thrilled all at the same time. Ready? Of course not. But I suppose you can never really "prepare" too much to become a real adult. However, I'm ESPECIALLY not ready. Why? Well, let me just put it this way. As you all know (from the very title of this blog) I cannot save/ manage money to save my life. Overdraft fees used to be (not anymore, because my bank has now forbidden me to overdraw...thank goodness) a weekly thing for me. One time, I got 5 overdraft notices in one week. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my parents plotted my death. And while I would like to think that I possess some maturity in certain aspects of life (not so much finances yet, but I'm working on it..), I can't help but think of the time that my best friend and I decided to get a puppy. Yeah. I know. It was last summer. She was presh. A little yellow lab (mix, i think, but I digress) and she was so mild-mannered...at the pound. After about 12 hours, we figured out that she was Satan's dog. We kept her for 8 days. ANYWAYS, all that to say; I can't even keep a dog. what makes me think that I can be a real-life adult??? ugh. If i think about it too much, I'll get a stomach ulcer...

On another note, I heard on the radio today that the heat index tomorrow is supposed to be 107. Degrees. SERIOUSLY? That's practically the temperature that water boils at. It's my personal belief that humans weren't intended to withstand this sort of heat and wretched humidity. But maybe that's just me...

On that note, I'm off to pack. And do laundry. And go on a last-minute Target run. Which, may I just say that Target is the superstore of champions. There are definitely Targets in Heaven. Ok, I'm done.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Hello, lovely readers. I have finally returned from my extended vacay. I would love to think that droves of people will be scurrying to their computer to read this, but the 2 or 3 die-harders will do just fine. Anyways, my 2-week trip was glorious. Macon, Savannah, Orlando, Tampa.. a fun time was had by all, if i do say so myself. Sure, south Georgia and central Florida both proved to be hotter than the hottest realms of...well, you know..and the humidity was nearly unbearable, however, the weather (almost) went unnoticed, seeing as I had the time of my life.

Of course, anything that i am involved in HAS to have SOME sort of adventure to it, whether it be beneficial/ good for me or not.. in this case, most adventures were good - shopping was wonderful, Mickey and Minnie are doing great, and of course, time with my family and best friends were priceless.

However, there were a few things that made me question my very sanity. The heat, for instance. Ok, Florida in July is my version of Chinese water torture. There were a few points during the week that i was PRETTY sure that my time on earth had come to a swift end. The worst was when I decided to wear jeans to an outdoor outlet mall. In Orlando. In July. Dumb. Another "adventure" (this is totally a misfortune on my part, but why be a Debbie-Downer) was when I thought, for the better part of an hour, that my car had been stolen from the Atlanta airport...

So...one of my best friends (that went on fam vacay with us) drove my car back to Georgia because of a previous engagement. Since I stayed a few extra days, he parked it at the airport and told me the exact location so that I could go right to it once my flight got in. Yeah, not so much. (Let me just precursor the next part of the story with this: my right nostril was completely clogged, my ears were stopped up, I was hot and i was exhausted...) Anyways, I walk outside, go to the parking lot, and ask the attendant where I can find the lot/ row that my car was in. After being told 2 different things, i finally manage to find the correct level, lot, and row...only to find that my car wasn't there. After calling my friend to quadruple check everything, losing my composure and all control of my emotions in the middle of baggage claim while on the phone with my mom, wandering the parking lot that my car was allegedly in like a lost puppy for 15 minutes, losing my composure again outside on the curb with my friend that is desperately trying to figure out how to tell me where my car is, and asking at LEAST 298 airport workers where to go and what to do, it finally hits me that i'm in the wrong parking lot... I don't know if YOU have realized this by now, but I need my own TV show...

Friday, July 16, 2010

-For having to be here at 7:30 a.m. on the dot, being late ONE time isn’t too bad, if I say so myself...-I have done about 6 or 7 writing assignments while here. Other than that, I have stuffed countless envelopes, filed stacks of papers and spent more time browsing the internet/ facebook-ing/ online shopping than some people have in their entire life (totally the company’s fault for putting me in a cubicle that falls between departments, resulting in me being by myself for about 98% of the day)...-Since we were allowed to listen to music while “working,” I think I almost have my entire iPod memorized...-I typically did my hair and make-up at my desk, seeing as I just have loads of free time on my hands. I think people are pretty surprised/ perplexed at the difference in my appearance between morning prayer and lunch...-I rode the elevators to waste time. Not kidding.-On occasion, I had to go to the dreaded “second floor” where Satan’s wife worked. Sure, she was the spitting image of Sofia on my favie show, The Golden Girls, but I once witnessed her make 2 employees cry in under 10 minutes. She was also a big fan of wearing socks with sandals...-I consumed more coffee in the span of one month than I ever had in my entire life…-I almost had to go home one day because I had on cropped dress pants. They were too casual. I wish I was kidding...Let’s see - I think that covers all of the really BIG fun.

Anyways, tomorrow morning I am off to play in Macon, GA until Wednesday, when I, along with one of my besties, will travel to Orlando, Florida. Immediately following Orlando, I'm visiting another bestie (that I haven't seen since May) in Tampa. It’s going to be great, epic fun...and you better believe that it’s going to be hotter than blue blazes. I’ll try to update from the road, but I mean, the life of a celeb is so busy < sarcasm.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

I have lost my ever loving mind. I wore a sweater to work today. Need I say more? I’m dumb.

In other news, my bonus room is haunted.

… Ok, so, for those of you that know me or have been to my house, this isn’t really breaking news. However, I was reminded of this again last night. There is not a doubt in my mind that every ghost ever lives in there. And sometimes I think that a few killers stay overnight on occasion. I’m telling you…my house gives me the creeps. And I love my house. It’s just no place that you want to be alone at night in the dark. Because of this, you have to very tactfully decide how you are going to fall asleep…it’s not an easy task, but over the course of 12 years, I’m starting to get it down. I’m giving you these (seemingly) superfluous details as a running start to the anecdote that I am about to tell… aka “night of terror.” So, my brother now sleeps in our bonus room, as his room will soon be our guest room. Anyways, he has a mattress in there, but other than that being added, everything else about the room is the same; big, dark, shadowy, scary and – for some reason – quiet as anything -- Another charming feature of this room is the fact that you have to walk a GOOD 6 or 7 feet into it until you reach a light switch. Which, what’s the point? If a masked murderer or a family member that has been dead for 31 years is waiting on you, they are going to be looking you dead in the eye once you finally reach the light. Brilliant design plan -- Yesterday, upon my arrival home from work, I had to go in there to get something out of one of the two storage closets on either side. Being in there in the day is a little like being in a cemetery in the day; still kinda makes your skin crawl but you don’t want to run for dear life – (also, my brother isn’t here this week, so it’s extra spine-chilling since a real, living person isn’t sleeping in there). So, last night before I tucked myself in, I realized that, when I had gone in there earlier, I left my phone charger on a shelf in the storage room……My mom was already in bed and my dad wasn’t home, so I only had two options: go in and risk my life OR leave my phone charger, let my phone die, not hear my alarm to wake up for work, etc. I figured that either way, I was going to lose. So I decided to make a run for it. Literally. I usually try to make my trips into the deep, dark crypt as quick as possible, but last night, I was extra fast. I would be surprised if my feet actually touched the floor. Interesting side-note: although my 12 year old nearly-blind poodle is of no real assistance in the security department, I figured that I would carry him with me…you know, to confuse the ghosts. Or to toss into the darkness as a distraction just in case I heard something. Luckily, I was able to get in, get my charger, and get out (in 10 seconds flat) and was able to bring myself AND the poodle out in one piece. I heard the floor creak 4 times before I fell asleep (no big, except for the fact that NOBODY WAS HOME TO WALK AROUND) and I am 99.9% positive that I heard a blood curdling scream right outside my window. So, even though it was 720 degrees in my room, I slept with the covers up to my eyeballs. I’m just glad I lived through the night…

I think that’s enough fun for one day, no?Have a fab Wednesday, lovelies. And sweet dreams…

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I’m officially on the (extremely) long home stretch towards the end of my fabulous career as an intern. I would say that it’s a bittersweet feeling, but it’s actually just sweet. Syrupy sweet, really. Just imagine with me, if you will, no more 5:45 a.m. wake up’s, no more driving 30 minutes each way to and from work, no more mind-numbing boredom from 7:30-4 every SINGLE day… ahh, bliss.

Speaking of misery, I’m curious: is it possible for good things happen to good people when it rains? First of all, I’m just going to make a brief observation that, through years of experience, I have found to be 100% true: When it is raining like cats and dogs outside, everything should just be cancelled - work, school, church, etc. because it’s impossible to do everything. First off, it’s like pulling teeth to force yourself up from your warm, soft, cloud-like bed to go get in the stupid shower. Second, once you actually open your eyes enough to see what you are doing and are somewhat ready, you should just face it; it’s raining, so you are bound to look rough - i.e., my hair, make-up and overall wardrobe appearance today. Also, may I just say that I hate life when the bottom of my pants gets wet from walking in the rain? It’s the same feeling as trying to dry off with a damp towel when you go to the beach. Ick. Another observation that I have made is the fact that when you are looking forward to something, the days move at a glacial pace. On Saturday, I am leaving glorious Brentwood for exactly 3 weeks to gallivant through Georgia and Florida with some of my best friends and family. It’s going to be splendid. However, I honestly don’t know if I am going to be able to hold my head up at work anymore today (oh yeah, btw, I blog AT work. That bored.) much less tomorrow, Thursday AND Friday. It’s asking too much. Sigh…

I did get new make-up this weekend, which was an unexpected treat. Truly, getting new make-up for me is like sending a child into a candy store and saying, “go for it.” In addition, I bought something so wonderful that it needs it’s own Nobel Peace Prize. Seriously. I know that in my previous post, I revealed that I was not very brand loyal, but there are a handful of items out there that need some sort of medal in recognition of their greatness. I am speaking of Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder. Other than Aussie Instant Freeze (the best hairspray in the history of all hairspray), this is the only thing that I buy over and over to use on my hair. It absorbs oil, makes styling super easy, and gives you instant body (something that a southern girl like me is always in need of). I’m obsessed.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

It happened. I thought I had taken all of the necessary precautions to avoid this disaster, but I suppose you just can’t ever be too careful…my phone went off in the office-wide morning prayer time today. I thought that it was a dream at first and then, when Jason Derulo wouldn’t shut up, I jumped from my seat and ran to my purse as fast as I have ever run (faster than the time I was chased by the guy in the “Scream” mask and faster than the morning that I was late to work and faster than the time in the field when me and a friend saw a rat). My face felt so hot that I thought it was going to melt off of my body, time moved like cold molasses and I hoped that death would just go ahead and take me…everyone got a good, long glance as I made the (what seemed like) miles-long walk of shame back to my seat. And I think my FAVORITE part about this entire fiasco is the fact that it wasn’t even an important phone call… it was the pharmacy letting me know that my prescription was ready. Stupid Walgreens…

In other news, I took a much anticipated journey to Sephora last night. I know that they say that Disney World is the happiest place on earth, but I’m convinced that the person that said that had never been to Sephora. I only go when I have funds, because, after all, what’s the fun in shopping if you can only browse? (I have somewhat fallen off of the frugalista band wagon, if you hadn’t already picked up on that) Anyways, I am not brand loyal to many things; I am a product junkie. If I see it in a magazine or on a mesmerizing display case at a department store, I’ll probably buy it. Who am I kidding… if the packaging is pretty or it smells good, I’ll buy it. I am excited---I know that’s weird, to be “excited” to test something that I bought at Sephora, but bear with…it’s the little things---to try the new hair treatment that I picked up last night. Apparently, it’s supposed to make my hair resist humidity, cutting down on the cotton candy effect that I mentioned a few days ago. I’ll let you know how that one turns out. Skincare is a little different for me, as my skin is fair and relatively sensitive, so I tend to stick with my strict Clarins regiment (although I play around occasionally with different products every now and then.) There is one thing, however, that I am fiercely loyal to. Its availability used to be limited, but, thankfully, Sephora started carrying it a few years ago. It has consistently been one of their best selling items, and for good reason. Now, the price tag is a little on the expensive side, so it’s a rare treat for me to get it. However, it’s like buying perfect skin. MD Skincare: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel wipes are the best thing to ever happen to my face. I was scared at first when my dermatologist recommended them to me because the word “peel” intimidates both me and my sensitive skin. However, these are so gentle and yet so effective. They are made for any and all skin types and all ages. I know that I sound like an infomercial but believe me when I say that they are wondrous. Go buy them.

Lastly; ok, I know that some people that may be reading this perhaps “don’t watch television” (……yeah. ok) but whatever you say... I’m just going to go ahead and let all of you down gently; my family is not one of those families that doesn’t watch tv. And, to researcher’s surprise, we’re extremely tight-knit and (relatively) normal. I actually quite enjoy it—I think it’s our witty commentary that peppers the entire show. And don’t you worry; we have PLENTY of time to bond sans-television on the many road adventures that we take a few times each month. They’re a blast. Ok, done with that soapbox; here lately, I have recently become unhealthily obsessed with the show Criminal Minds. I want to BE them (the sleuths, of course, not the crazed criminals that kill with no regard). I have marathon watching evenings with my dad..we record multiple episodes and then sit down and knock them all out at once. It’s weird, I know, but let’s face it; it’s not like either one of us are going to go outside in the heat…

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

This past Sunday, our wonderful, beautiful nation celebrated its independence. The 4th of July is a time to celebrate freedom, spend time with your family and…dress like a complete insane person. Ok, I’m all for sporting the patriotic look (although, I haven’t been able to find a red, white and blue combo that doesn’t make me look like a 5 year old), but some of the outfits that people sport on Independence Day are embarrassing. The freaks come out. it’s more the LACK of clothing that really gets me. I’m sorry…just because a holiday falls in the middle of summer does NOT mean that you don’t have to wear pants. Or that you don’t have to wear anything but shorts and a bikini top. Unless, of course, I’m out of the loop and that became acceptable.

In other news, this weekend was full of sleep, television, watermelon with salt, and more sleep. Sidenote: my new addiction is watermelon with salt on it-No joke, I have recently given the watermelon industry a serious boost. Anyways, my little brother got to go visit my family that lives in Florida, so that left me at home with my parents and, of course, the poodle. It was a treat. And not having to work yesterday was literally Christmas in July.

Next: Ok, I know that fashion holds a completely different calendar than what we have in our minds. When it’s 108 degrees outside, you would expect to be able to go into any store and find a perfectly respectable SUMMER outfit, right? Wrong. I’m sorry, but this is something that I cannot stand about the fashion industry. I am in desperate need of a new swimsuit, so I thought to myself, self, go grab a new one at the mall. No prob. Um…wool, tweed and cashmere seemed to be the only things available. At this point in the summer, putting any of those fabrics on my body would be like jumping into fire. Even one of my favorites, Target, had placed all of the swimsuits that they had left (which was a limited selection, to say the least) in the very back of the store. I understand that there is this whole big, glamorous story behind this, but come on. It’s not even August—I’m not ready to preview Fall and Winter fashions just yet…

I will admit, however, that after browsing Saks, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus online, the clothes for Fall are looking quite promising. Similar to last fall, if I may be so bold, but Fall 2010 features more neutrals than last year. The same shapes are still seen –skinny pants, as well as wide legged, and still a lot of big, oversize, geometric tops –and masculine is still meeting feminine in the middle. Of course, this year does come along with some completely new, never-before-seen looks as well as new hair, make-up, and accessories to compliment them perfectly. Of all of the runway looks I have seen so far, a majority of designers look to be going for the “fresh-faced, no make-up” make-up thing. The smokey eye and pale lip combo is still pretty dominant (Chanel, Zac Posen) as well as pale eyes and berry-stained lips –according to Allure.com.

Lastly (this announcement makes me want to get up and run in place for a second) I only have 8 more days of work ('ll let you come to your own conclusion on how i feel about that...) Only 8 more little days filled with...fun office activities...

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About Me

Shopping is my happy place. walking into the immaculately decorated, perfume-scented, beautiful multi-leveled building is, for me, the epitome of being a little girl with a sweet tooth in a candy store.
unforch, I am in college. my parents simply don't understand; fashion costs money. maybe, oh i don't know.. $1,000 a week? no? fine..
we have that exact same convo at least once a month.
so i'm going to write about my adventures in thrifting (it's new to me, so bear with) and using what you have to make it work until the day finally comes when we can walk into Chanel and say, "the black quilted handbag, please.. oh and the flats, in every color."
last but not least, i'll be writing about my new job... believe me when i say, you're going to want to tune into this one. epic summer? here i come.